the united states one month later. despite the many differences between our two countries, we have some important similarities. both presidents might deny this, but it is true. both countries are debating the fundamental relationship between state and society. what guarantees that our governments will nprovide to all our citizens, and especially the most vulnerable? who would pay for the guarantees? what mechanisms need to be strengthened to ensure that courtroom and rights and fundamental fairness are protected? these are fundamental issues, and neither country is handling the debate very well. the elections are influenced by another unfortunate policy that our two countries share. the united states and venezuela are anomalies, holdouts in the hemisphere in that they do not provide public financing for political campaigns. as a matter of fact, the u.s. does offer public financing for presidential campaigns, which my opponents and i accepted with a running for office. but now the candice reject the financing and the li